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How Does America’s “Evil Corporation” Control their Government Interests?

If you’ve heard anything about Monsanto, one of the nation’s largest agricultural companies, it’s probably been negative. Online groups have been formed, marches have been given, petitions have been signed, all against Monsanto. Why is an agricultural company that touts their desire to end world hunger considered so evil? And how do they get the government to help keep control of their interests?

With Monsanto’s patented genes making up about 95 percent of all soybeans and 80 percent of all corn grown in the U.S., Monsanto seems to have an iron grip on the soybean and corn market. If farmers want to use their product they must sign an “end-user agreement” that limits what they can do with Monsanto’s seed. While most companies want to keep control of their patented products, Monsanto’s practices take it to the extreme. This user agreement keeps the seeds from any independent scientific research on how the modified crops might affect the environment, allowing Monsanto to keep out any negative findings. Monsanto’s also been known to sue farmers who replant their seeds, and organic dairy farmers who advertised a lack of rBGH in their product, claiming that advertisement suggested there was something wrong with Monsanto’s rBGH laced products. The resulting legal fees can often break a regular farmer, who doesn’t have the lawyers and resources of Monsanto.

Like most other large corporations Monsanto has a lobbying interest in the federal government. According to OpenSecrets.org Monsanto ranks 76 out of 4,368 organizations in money spent lobbying, shelling out over $5.9 million in 2012. Their control in government isn’t subtle– Michael Taylor, Monsanto’s former Vice President for Public Policy, was recently appointed Special Assistant to the FDA Commissioner – for Food Safety. Monsanto’s board members have worked for the EPA, advised the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and served on President Obama’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. These positions have benefited Monsanto, the USDA has never denied a single application for Monsanto’s genetically engineered crops.

But the largest outcry against Monsanto’s interest in the government has come from the so called “Monsanto Protection Act.” When President Obama signed the spending Bill HR 933 it was supposed to be a bill pushed through to halt the threat of government shutdown. But added in the bill was Section 735, the Farmer’s Assurance Provision, soon dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act.” The “Monsanto Protection Act” basically keeps federal courts from being able to halt the sale or planting of genetically modified (GMO) or genetically engineered (GE) seeds, even if they prove to be harmful to the environment or people’s health. If research ever shows that their genetically altered seeds are hurting people the federal courts won’t be able to stop Monsanto from continuing to sell them. It’s basically protecting the company from any negative fallout if their product is bad and allowing them to keep selling it.

So how did a bill that was supposed to be about government spending add an amendment that protects a large corporation? Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican from Missouri, helped craft the bill with Monsanto representatives, adding it into the emergency bill. Sen. Blunt is one of Monsanto’s favorite politicians to donate to, he received $20,000 in campaign contributions from Monsanto in 2012. But Monsanto is an equal opportunity giver, according to OpenSecrets.org they contributed over a million dollars in 2012, giving to both Republican and Democratic parties.

But many members of Congress claim they had no idea that the “Monsanto Protection Act” was included in the bill they were voting on. Even though it’s a question mark if this bill is even enforceable, it just proves how much power corporations like Monsanto have in bending the government to fit their will. But now that the media and special interest groups have pointed out the bills passing several Congressmen have vowed to have the bill repealed. 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